In a linear economy, materials are used once and thrown away. A circular economy keeps them in use for as long as possible. For the garment industry, that shift is both an environmental need and a business opportunity.
Where the waste comes from
- Fabric offcuts from cutting rooms
- Rejected garments and samples
- Packaging such as cartons, poly bags and cones
- Water and chemicals from wet processing
Closing the loop
- Segregated cotton offcuts can be recycled into new yarn
- Clean packaging can be baled and sold to recyclers
- Treated wastewater can be reused for washing, cooling or toilets
- Sludge can sometimes be used as a raw material for bricks or cement, where permitted
Why buyers care
International brands increasingly set targets for recycled content and waste reduction. Factories that can show data on waste recovery are better placed in sourcing decisions.
Getting started
Begin by measuring: how much waste of each type is produced, and where does it go? That baseline shows where the quickest wins are.
We carry out waste audits, design segregation systems and help factories build practical circular economy plans.
- #Recycling
